Archive for February, 2007

Proverbs 20:24
A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?

This verse has been a blessing and a curse in my life for years. Sometimes it comforts me, sometimes it confuses and frustrates me, but I always come back to it. In a world of instant gratification, this is not the kind of answer we are trained to accept. When you’re looking for guidance and turn to God the last thing you want to hear is, “I’d tell you, but you wouldn’t understand.” Sometimes that’s how this verse makes me feel. Other times it reminds me to relax and just let things be. There’s a much more qualified person in control who has my best interests in mind whether I realize it at this moment or not. I guess that’s part of the big mystery of faith isn’t it? Saying that I have no clue what I should do with my life but I’m going to hand over control to someone who may not even tell me where they’re taking me, but I trust them enough to follow them anyway. Scary stuff.

Love y’all!
J

Smell the Color Nine

~Chris Rice

I would take “no” for an answer
Just to know I heard You speak
And I’m wonderin’ why I’ve never
Seen the signs they claim they see
Are the special revelations
Meant for everybody but me?
Maybe I don’t truly know You
Or maybe I just simply believe

‘Cause I can sniff, I can see
And I can count up pretty high
But these faculties aren’t getting me
Any closer to the sky
But my heart of faith keeps poundin’
So I know I’m doin’ fine
But sometimes finding You
Is just like trying to
Smell the color nine

Now I’ve never ‘felt the presence’
But I know You’re always near
And I’ve never ‘heard the calling’
But somehow You’ve led me right here
So I’m not looking for burning bushes
Or some divine graffiti to appear
I’m just beggin’ You for some wisdom
And I believe You’re puttin’ some here

‘Cause I can sniff, I can seek,
I can count up pretty high
But these faculties aren’t getting me
Any closer to the sky
But my heart of faith keeps poundin’
So I know I’m doin’ fine
But sometimes finding You
Is just like trying to
Smell the color nine

Smell the color nine?
But nine’s not a color
And even if it were you can’t smell a color
That’s my point exactly…

I know that it’s usually a bad idea to blog about certain sensitive topics. But I’ve remained silent and divided far too long. It’s my God given right as an American to protest the things I see in my country that I disagree with. I can speak my mind and stand up for what I believe in and it’s time I made my views public about this issue that has overshadowed our great nation for the past few years and cost so many people their lives. I may divide my friends and even my own family with this stance I’m taking. You may view me differently afterwards, but frankly, I don’t care. I have to be true to myself and honest with those around me: I hate American Idol.

There, I said it. I know it’s not the popular opinion considering where I come from, but it’s how I feel after much deliberation and soul searching. Simon Cowell is a tyrant and should be overthrown. We need more Americans to stand up to him. His abuse of power is unforgivable and he has no regard for the lives he has ruined. And his two accomplices are no better. We can all respect a female in her position, but we don’t have to respect her judgment. She tries to paint the world to be a better place than it really is. And Simon’s right-hand man hardly has the personality to go along with constantly being in the public eye. He’s bright enough for the job, but he lacks that approachable quality.

So join me, America. Stand up for what you believe and don’t give in to this waste of resources. Take back your evenings and face the reality in your lives and not the reality that Fox portrays. Everyone knows that Fox is biased and supports this ridiculous agenda that has split our nation to its core. Oh sure they have some redeeming qualities. Take their stance on medical issues (which they so conveniently air every Tuesday night immediately following Idol). But don’t let that affect your view of the overall picture. Fox supports this intrusion into other peoples lives and sees no problem with making other people think the same way they do. Remember, not everyone wanted to be forced to vote to see what will happen next in their lives. Some people believed in the programming that was already in control and saw no need for it to be forced out of power (and eventually murdered unjustly).

If we all work together, we can end this corruption at least by the year 2008. Maybe sooner if enough people speak out.

It’s been a while since my last post and not much has been missed. Last week was a little hectic at times but decent. Honestly, work has been relatively slow except for a few minor disasters lately. But the start of a new month always promises fast paced days for a few weeks and then a monthly project I work on will keep me going for a week or so starting about halfway through the month. Yay attorneys!!

This was an odd weekend. I was supposed to go meet up with some friends for an all night poker game Friday night. Unfortunately it was cancelled so me and one of the guys that were also supposed to play had Chipotle for dinner and then went to Dave & Buster’s on Times Square. For those of you unfamiliar, D&B’s is basically a Chuck-E-Cheese for grown men. Restaurant, Bar and hi-tech video game arcade. And even better, no unsupervised brats are allowed to run around. Tons of fun. Be careful if you go though; it’s one of those places where it’s really easy to spend about nine thousand dollars without realizing it.

Saturday, as usual, I went to Central Park and took some pictures, walked around, and froze to death. I left the park on the east side around 85th and walked over to 3rd avenue and then down to the 57th street station. There are some really interesting and overpriced little stores on that stretch. Worth checking out for the window shopping if nothing else (when it’s not under 20 degrees, that is). That night, me and the roomie watched Talladega Nights. Take my advice, save your money and go see The Departed again. And if you haven’t seen it yet, shame on you.

Sunday was a weird day. I had a horrible case of cabin fever, but didn’t feel like going into the city for fear of spending money (D&B’s was it for this month’s serious entertainment). So I wandered around locally a bit and then came back to the apartment and listened to some online sermons from Lifepoint I was behind on and then journaled a bit. The rest of the day was spent in football mode for what turned out to be an underwhelming Super Bowl. I wanted the Colts to win, mostly for Tony Dungy and all the adversities he overcame the past year or so. And while they lost to the Colts, I still think Tom Brady is the best dang quarterback to ever play the game, but Peyton is a close second in my humble opinion. Sure, Romo has plenty of potential, but he’s going to have to get some more experience under his belt to back it up.